Dancing with the Stars: Tell me a Story

Last week, Elisabetta went home, and thank goodness, because she was super boring. The gimmick for tonight's show is that the stars will each tell a personal story through their dances. 

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl (Foxtrot): Rob is dancing about the time when he lost his dad. I can really tell that Rob isn't a naturally a good dancer, but Cheryl is such a great teacher, that he pulls off a deacon routine. The wardrobe department has done the impossible and made tiny Cheryl Burke look really quite plump. The dance is pretty, flows nicely, and has an appropriate amount of emotion to it. Len thinks he was properly dashing. Bruno thinks he had a good amount of Frank Sinatra's charm. Carrie Ann is seeing great progress. Scores: 8,8,8

Chynna Phillips and Tony (Rumba): Chynna is dancing about the year her one hit "Hold On" came out and the year she gave up alcohol. She is dancing to that song, which seems a bit hokey.  The rumba is such a dumb dance, I never really enjoy them. Given that starting point, Chynna's is fine. It is very slow and dramatic, and over the top with the hokey. Bruno thinks it was seductive and stylish. Carrie Ann loves her lines and her connection to the music. Len thinks she just took the competition to a new level. Really? I just found it boring. Scores: 8,9,9

Chaz Bono and Lacey (Rumba): Chaz is dancing about this current year, and is dancing to one of his dad's songs. "Laugh at Me". This song is strange, y'all. I am no great fan of Sonny, but I usually tolerate him when he is singing with Cher. This is just strange. As to the rumba, it isn't great. Chaz just doesn't have a lot of natural grace, and he looks a bit awkward in this dance. Carrie Ann didn't love it, and thought it wasn't his best effort. Len, on the other hand, thinks that it was his best of the season, and rewards his determination. Bruno knows that the rumba is difficult, and thinks Chaz did ok with it. Scores: 6,6,6 (So Len didn't think it was that great)

Kristin Cavallari and Mark (Samba): Kristin has chosen her senior year of high school, which tells you a bit about her. The samba is really high-energy, and Kristin does well to have a good time with it. She genuinely looks like she is enjoying herself. I enjoy her much more when I just actively avoid watching Mark. Len thought the non-Beyonce content was fabulous. Bruno thought Kristin was a fast-moving devil woman. That was a compliment. Carrie Ann thinks she filled Beyonce's shoes. Scores: 8,8,8

Carson Kressley and Anna (Tango): Carson is dancing about the year Queer Eye For the Straight Guy debuted. He tells a nice story about how the show helped him feel like his way of life was accepted. The best word to describe Carson's dancing is "spazzy", but it is in an adorable way. I love that he tries so hard and is having a great time with it. The tango is medium, better than I expected from him, but not great. Bruno thought it was insanely brilliant. Carrie Ann loves Carson, and the drama he brought to the dance. Len says he puts the boy in flamboyant, and says that the tango had merit. Scores: 8,7,8

J.R. Martinez and Karina (Rumba): J.R. is dancing about the year he got injured, and the depression that followed that. His story is really touching, and it is a good example of what people who chose to fight for their country are capable of, and why we should all appreciate them a little bit more than we do. The serious subject makes this dance very emotional, and J.R. does well to give the dance the appropriate emotion and also pulls off the technical side of the rumba. Carrie Ann is for sure going to be crying. The crowd gives them a huge standing O. Carrie Ann thinks J.R. is extraordinary, and is indeed emotional. Len thinks he is unexpectedly great, and loved the performance. Bruno likes that he absolutely dances from his heart. Scores: 9,8,9

Nancy Grace and Tristan (Waltz): Nancy is dancing about the year her twins were born, and is dancing to "Moon River", which she sang to her children when they were in intensive care. The waltz is a dance that lends itself to grace and strength, which I wouldn't say are strong suits of Nancy (despite her last name). This waltz is a bit of a snooze. Len liked that it didn't have any messing about, but thinks she needs better posture. Bruno thinks she needs to sustain her movement a little bit better. Carrie Ann thinks it was a live action lullaby, which I agree with, but I think that wasn't a good thing. Scores: 7,7,7 (I think that was overscored).

Ricki Lake and Derek (Rumba): Ricki is dancing about last year, when her house burned down, and when she met a new man. Oh my goodness, so much fog on the dance floor! The song they are dancing from is called "Gravity" and The Peanut Gallery astutely pointed out that this is the song they play over the Jeff/Annie and Abed/Pierce love montages in the clip episode of season 2 of Community. We are slightly obsessed with that awesome show. Anyway, Ricki's rumba is really good. It is smooth and fluid, and has a lot of emotion to it. She is a good enough actress that she sells the story with out it being fake or over the top. Bruno thinks it was the actress/dancer at her best. Carrie Ann thinks she looks amazing and it is emanating from her in her dance. Len thinks Derek choreographed a great routine and Ricki danced it really well. Scores: 9,9,9! The first 27 of the season.

Hope Solo and Maks (Cha Cha Cha): Hope is dancing about this year, when her team went to the final of the women's world cup, and eventually lost in a shoot out. In the rehearsal, Hope kind of stomps on Maks' junk, which is fun. I really hate Hope's wardrobe..it is this big huge tutu thing with sort of fishnets and a corset. As for her dancing, it is a big improvement from past weeks. She has a lot of energy, and is working some personality too. She still isn't a great technical dancer, but not too many of the stars are this season. Carrie Ann thinks it was sexy, but wants her to work on her walk (and for her to be lighter on her feet). Len thought the Cha Cha Cha portions were good, even if he didn't love the choreography. Bruno thinks she was a man-eater. Scores: 8,8,8.

David Arquette and Kym (Rumba): David is dancing about last year, when his marriage fell apart and when he confronted his drinking problem. David is by no means the most graceful man in this competition, but he really seems to dance with honesty, and it is fun to watch. Len liked the mix of motion and emotion. Bruno liked the sensitivity, and emotion. Carrie Ann likes his raw emotion, and thinks this dance really hit the right notes. Scores: 8,8,8.

Random Celebrity Sightings: Laurie Keller and Ellie Torres!! That would be Busy Phillips and Christina Miller, to those of you not in love with the cul-de-sac crew of CougarTown. The fact that they are sitting together is funny, as the characters only tolerate each other. There is also a smattering of the Kardashian clan and all of Hope Solo's soccer team (awesome). There is also a mystery guy who my sister thinks could be a skinny meatloaf, and who I think is one of the guys from the Dragon's Den (Robert Herjavec). 

I think that Chaz might be in trouble, but again, he has a big fan base that might keep him in it. It is also possible that Nancy might be in trouble. 

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